Pom Pom Drop

Published on: Author: cxyz

WALT – We Are Learning To…

design structures that will control the effect of gravity on different types of balls

WILF – What I’m Looking For…

work in a group to design and construct a Pom Pom drop that will direct a ball into a cup.

What is a Pom Pom Drop? 

Your Pom Pom Drop needs these features
[Success Criteria]

  • The pom pom drop covers as much of the space you have as possible.
  • No more than 2 tubes in the drop are open.
  • The ball lands in a container that is at least 30 centimetres left or right for where it began.

Extra Challenges

  • Test different types of balls in the pom pom drop to see how different sizes and weights of materials change the effect of gravity.
  • Create an action to trigger at the end of your pom pom drop instead of the ball landing in a container. e.g. knock over a card structure. (You must still catch the ball before it rolls away.)
  • Adjust your pom pom drop to keep a ball going for more than 10 seconds.
  • Make a video of your drop in action.

How did you go?

Download your Task Sheet.

Materials

  • Cardboard rolls
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Pom pom
  • Marbles (2 sizes)
  • Foil ball

For the Teacher

From the Australian Curriculum Design and Technologies
Technology Context – Engineering principles and systems

Years 3-4

Knowledge and Understanding

  • Investigate the suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment for a range of purposes.
    • Experiment with open and closed tubes in the pom pom drop to achieve the required balance for a successful run, adjusting if necessary for different types of balls.
  • Conduct tests to understand the properties of materials.
    • Test different types of balls in the pom pom drop to see how different sizes and weights of materials change the effect of gravity.

Processes and Production Skills

  • Explore and test a variety of materials and components and the techniques needed to produce designed solutions.
    • Adjust the angle and spacing of the tubes in the drop to allow the ball to have a free passage without falling off.

Years 5-6

Knowledge and Understanding

  • Investigate how forces or electrical energy can control movement in a designed product or system. 
    • Experiment with open and closed tubes in the pom pom drop to achieve the required balance for a successful run, adjusting if necessary for different types of balls.

Processes and Production Skills

  • Producing – Apply safe procedures when using a variety of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to make designed solutions.
    • Handle scissors safely when cutting tubes and tape.
    • Use tape economically and not wastefully.
    • Control the balls when testing the design.
  • Evaluating – Evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions.
    • Testing and adjusting each tube as it is added to the structure.